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School Emotional Wellbeing Dog Assistant - Full-time - Special Needs Position

Ripplevale School and College - Rochester, Rochester

  • Ref:MED887-6006-164S
  • Posted:16/10/2025
  • Pay:FTE £26,251 (Actual Salary £21,809)
  • Start Date:January 2026
  • App Close Date:29/10/2025 at 12:00
  • Interviews:TBS

Advert

Your new school

Ripplevale School and College, is a thriving independent special school, for 170 students aged 6 to 25 years old, located in the historic town of Rochester.  As part of our Therapies and Intervention Team, we are excited to offer a unique opportunity to join us in a role that blends animal care with emotional wellbeing support.
 
Your new role
 
As our School Emotional Wellbeing Dog Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the emotional and mental health of our students through animal-assisted therapy. Working closely with teaching staff, the SENCO, and the Senior Leadership Team, you will deliver therapeutic sessions using the school’s dogs, both in small groups and one-to-one settings.
 
Your responsibilities will include:
  • Daily care, grooming, and health monitoring of the school’s dogs
  • Coordinating animal therapy sessions and maintaining accurate intervention records
  • Supporting students through mentoring, coaching, and CBT-based interventions
  • Collaborating with the Therapies Manager and attending review meetings
  • Providing one overnight stay per week for the school dog at your own residence
  • Offering an additional 14 days of ‘respite’ holiday care for the school dog(s), including overnight stays
  • Upholding safeguarding, health and safety, and GDPR standards across all duties
This is a hands-on, emotionally rewarding role that requires compassion, resilience, and a genuine love for working with animals and young people.

What you'll need to succeed

To thrive in this role, you will need:
  • A caring and empathetic nature with a strong understanding of emotional wellbeing
  • Experience working with animals, particularly dogs, including grooming and health monitoring
  • The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
  • Strong organisational skills and a proactive approach to supporting students
  • A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, and equality and diversity policies
  • Willingness and ability to provide overnight care and holiday respite for the school dog(s)
  • Experience in mentoring, coaching, or therapeutic support (desirable but not essential)

What you'll get in return

  • A fulfilling role where you make a real difference in students’ lives
  • Supportive team environment within a forward-thinking school
  • Opportunities for professional development and training
  • Competitive salary and term-time working pattern
  • The chance to work with therapy animals in a structured and meaningful way
Early Application Encouraged
 
Due to the high volume of interest in this position, we may close the vacancy before the stated deadline. To ensure your application is considered, we strongly recommend applying as soon as possible.
 
Safeguarding recruitment statement
 
Ripplevale School Rochester is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants. Ripplevale School Rochester is required to conduct online searches about you as part of their shortlisting process in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

Information about the school

Ripplevale Rochester is an independent specialist provision for students aged 6 to 25 who have been diagnosed with various needs, which may include ASD, dyslexia, speech, language and communication difficulties, DCD, sensory, social, emotional and other learning difficulties along with high levels of anxiety. The school is set in an historic Medway town and enjoys the outstanding community facilities and links that the towns of Chatham and Rochester have to offer.

Ripplevale provides a holistic child centred approach to education underpinned by our team of 98 Teachers, Teaching assistants, Administrators and Therapists, all working in a caring and nurturing environment, with a common belief that all students have the opportunity to make progress and experience success everyday, in a safe, caring, nurturing and secure environment.

Our site boasts well-resourced classrooms, small class sizes, music and drama facilities, Science labs, Therapy rooms, amazing vocational teaching areas such as our hair and beauty studios, a coffee shop, catering kitchens, as well as numerous areas for children to have fun and enjoy social times. Staff are both welcoming and friendly at this independent school and there is a collaborative approach where resources and best practices are shared.

Job Contact Information

  • Name:Brett Coventry
  • Address:13 New Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1BG
  • Telephone: 020 3818 7040
  • Email: ripplevale@hays.com

Apply for this Role Today

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Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you have read all the relevant information and documents provided by the school. If you are ready to apply for this vacancy please click the "Apply Now" button

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Please be aware that schools are also required to undertake online recruitment checks on shortlisted candidates under changes to Keeping Children Safe in Education.